Westport nixes solar zoning changes

WESTPORT — Special Town Meeting voters Tuesday night rejected a series of proposed changes in zoning bylaws that would have paved the way for more solar power in town.

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By NED BRADY

southcoasttoday.com

By NED BRADY

Posted Nov. 14, 2012 at 12:01 AM
Updated Nov 14, 2012 at 4:50 PM

By NED BRADY

Posted Nov. 14, 2012 at 12:01 AM
Updated Nov 14, 2012 at 4:50 PM

» Social News

WESTPORT — Special Town Meeting voters Tuesday night rejected a series of proposed changes in zoning bylaws that would have paved the way for more solar power in town.

The solar proposal was written and presented by members of the Planning Board with the intent of establishing zoning guidelines for solar energy systems. The proposal actually received a majority of votes, with 68 voting in favor and 49 opposed, but did not receive the two-thirds majority required to pass zoning amendments.

Proponents had cited the need for the town to have guidelines for commercial solar use. Several energy companies have expressed interest in developing commercial photovoltaic plants in Westport.

"In my mind, these bylaws strike a good balance between encouraging commercial development and protecting the rights of homeowners," said Tony Connors, a member of Westport's Energy Committee.

Opposition mostly centered on the proposal's limitations on residential usage of solar panels. The bylaw defined "small-scale, ground-mounted, solar electric installations" as "a solar electric system that is structurally mounted on the ground, or roof-mounted, and occupies 1,000 square feet of land or less," a definition several saw as limiting.

"If the average residential homeowner wants to power their home with photovoltaic energy, they will need more than 1,000 square feet to work with," said resident Brian Corey Jr.

While defeated, the proposal is expected to continue to be modified and discussed. A modified version will likely appear on the warrant for the spring Town Meeting in 2013, officials said.

Nine of the other 10 articles on the warrant were passed unanimously. A motion as part of Article 2 to transfer $70,000 from available funds to the School Department met minimal opposition but was passed by an overwhelming majority. The School Department plans to use these funds to hire a new math teacher and purchase a new reading program in an effort to combat low MCAS scores.

Articles 4 and 5 established and transferred funds into an "Other Post Employment Benefits Liability Trust Fund." This trust fund will help cover the costs of retirement benefits within town and could improve the town's bond rating, officials said.

Article 1 transferred a total of $40,000, largely from the Selectmen Personnel Services budget, to various town departments struggling to remain under their current budgets for the 2012 fiscal year.